The latest report by the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) indicates that the
earth’s surface temperature in 2020 was around 0.98 Celsius warmer than the 20 th -century
average (McKibbin et al.) . This exponential increase has been on record consistent with the
effects being felt on the climate. Greenhouse effects are the major cause of global warming.
A lot of heat is retained in the atmosphere when there is a lot of greenhouse gases being
emitted into the atmosphere. However, human activity turns out to be the largest contributor
to the greenhouse effect. Hopefully, the zero wastes approach, offsetting carbon emissions,
and setting up a system of national permits and emission fees have been successfully applied
in the effort of slowing down global warming
ZERO WASTE APPROACH
Zero waste approach means all resources are conserved by responsible production,
consumption, reuse, and recovery of products, packaging, and materials without burning or
discharging to land, water, or air that endanger the environment or human health. A zero-
waste approach has helped in reducing emissions and mitigations against climate change by
primarily reducing the need for new materials in various industries (Binnemans) . Recycling
new materials require less energy than manufacturing them. Logically, the zero-waste
approach has comprehensively reduced the greenhouse effects and it has been applied in
various stages; the stage when natural resources are extracted from the planet, for example;
drilling the oil, mining of minerals, and sourcing of timber for constructions. The processing
stage where these resources are being refined and the stage of their end of use (Ghisellini) .
Generally, Zero Waste is a visionary, efficient, economical, and ethical aim that guides
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people in modifying their lifestyles and behaviors to mimic sustainable natural cycles, in
which all wasted materials are designed to become resources for others to utilize.
OFFSETTING CARBON EMISSION
Carbon offsetting can be done in several ways to reduce and neutralize the percentage of
greenhouse gas emitted into the atmosphere. For example; improving your energy efficiency
and saving money on energy expenses, carrying out awareness campaigns, consuming
renewable energy, and implementing of cooperative social responsibility strategy are the
most effective ways through which carbon offsetting has been effectively used in the slowing
down of global warming. Carbon offset schemes give a go on to individuals and companies to
adopt this method and implement it to balance out their carbon footprint (Binnemans) .
Positively, various companies are embracing this idea to offset and reduce the percentage of
carbon emitted to the atmosphere and its impact has significantly been recorded.
SETTING UP NATIONAL PERMITS AND EMISSION FEES
Setting up national permits and emission fees is an effective way of slowing down the
emission of global warming. The regulations governing the emission are specified to a certain
in a country. Conversely, on the increase of the emissions of carbon above the set standard,
the country will have to pay additional charges. This policy has encouraged firms to reduce
the emissions of carbon to the atmosphere and in turn, contributes significantly to slowing
down global warming. A series of negotiations have been conducted internationally following
the build-up of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere (McKibbin et al.) . Additionally, the
consultations have resulted in the creation of strategies and regulations in tradable emission
permits. Any firm emitting carbon dioxide is generally required to own a permit that
equalizes the amount of carbon it produces. Effectively, these restrictions and regulations
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have had an appositive impact on the reduction of carbon emission to the atmosphere thus
mitigating climate change.
GENERATING ELECTRICITY WITHOUT EMISSIONS
Electricity can be generated from renewable resources without basically burning fossil fuels.
These renewable sources do not release greenhouse gases into the environment in the process
of generating electricity. Renewable energy sources include solar energy, geothermal, wind
turbines, ocean waves, and tidal energy. Nuclear energy also creates no greenhouse
emissions, therefore, plays a vital in the mitigation of climate change. Generally, the use of
renewable resources has significantly reduced the rate of emission of greenhouse gases into
the atmosphere and consequently slow down global warming.
CONCLUSION
Many efforts are being applied internationally in the process of mitigating climate change and
slowing down global warming. Significantly, the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into
the atmosphere has reduced. Zero wastes approach, offsetting carbon emission, and setting up
a national emission permit and fees has effectively played a major role in the mitigation of
climate change. If these strategies are implemented well worldwide, obviously global
warming will slow down.
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